Slow drop-down box load - best approach?

[rupertvz]

Hi Guys,

I have a NetWebForm where the user selects from two drop down boxes.
Unfortunately we have to load the full item master file into these two boxes.
It is taking about 10-20 seconds to complete each load.

Is there some progress indicator that I can put on the NetWebForm to show the user the progress of the load?
Or at least just a "busy" indicator, and prompt to inform the user to wait until the load is complete?

[Bruce]

are you doing the load when the form opens, or are you doing it in response to some other selection they make on the form?

cheers
Bruce

[rupertvz]

Hi Bruce,

I am using the default, both drop-down boxes load when the form opens.
The users are getting impatient and clicking the form away.

[Rene Simons]

Hi Rupert,

I always take in consideration what the user experience will be when users use my app.
Waiting for a page to load never is good.
When there is a chance that  th droplist will be longer than e.g. 20 items, I use a select function. No waiting time for the user. Happy customer, happy develloper.

Cheers,
Rene

[springguy]

Rene,
Could you fill us in on the technique you are using?
Thanks,
Mike Springer

[Bruce]

I think what Rene is saying that a Drop is not an appropriate control when it is either very large (ie lots of options) or populating those options takes a long time.

Change to a String control, click on the "Lookup button" option, and also tick on the "Auto Complete" option. The form loads much faster, and the user still has access to the lookup, and also auto-complete functionality.

cheers
Bruce

[springguy]

Thanks Bruce - great info
Mike

[Rene Simons]

Yeah, autocomplete is even better.
Rene

[Rene Simons]

Rupert,
Make sure you have a unique key on the descriprion field of the file that you do the lookup on.
Rene

[rupertvz]

Thanks Rene,

Much appreciated :-)